Derry will face new look Kerry on Sunday
This time however Derry will have a changed team but not so much changed as Kerry who will be minus the powerful Dara O'Se (retired) goalie Diarmuid Murphy (retired), Paul Galvin (suspended), Tomas O'Se (injured), Tommy Walsh (Australian Rules) and Tadhg Keanelly (Australian Rules). Neither Mat O'Se or Colm Cooper have played in the opening two games but with defeats in their first two games manager Jack O'Connor will be putting every available player on the field in an effort to get off the mark.
They have already lost to Dublin at home and Cork away while Derry have beaten Tyrone and lost to Dublin so it's a game that Derry cannot afford to lose either.
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Hide AdDerry will be strengthened by the return of Eoin Bradley from suspension, Raymond Wilkinson from injury and the two McGoldrick brothers from a long term holiday. It is understood that the McGoldrick duo have kept themselves in shape but they will obviously be short of match practice.
With Liam Hinphey having withdrawn from the panel to concentrate on hurling Damien Cassidy may find himself a bit short of options in defence which has been a problem area for the team in the past two years. Kevin McCloy is back in the panel and he may be considered as the full back to mark the towering Kieran Donaghy who is the Kerry ball winner in attack.
Paddy Bradley has not played in the league to date but he has been gradually getting over a heel injury and should at least be on the subs bench.
The last time Derry played at the Kerry venue was two years ago when they had a player controversially sent off and lost by a point. They will be confident enough of getting something from the game but they must make a good start.
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Hide AdIf they allow Kerry to make the running they will have problems. However on the basis of the opening two games Derry would look to have at least an even chance of getting a result.
The introduction of young players like Charlie Kielt, Andrew McCartney, Adrian McLaughlin and Dermot McBride seems to have given the team a new energy and this will be a further test of their ability.
The game is televised live on TG4 at 2-30.